8-1912. When secretary of transportation or local authorities may restrict use of highways. (a) Local authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction may prohibit, by ordinance or resolution, the operation of vehicles upon any such highway or impose restrictions as to the weight of vehicles to be operated upon any such highway, for a total period of not to exceed ninety (90) days in any one (1) calendar year, whenever any said highway by reason of deterioration, rain, snow or other climatic conditions will be seriously damaged or destroyed unless the use of vehicles thereon is prohibited or the permissible weights thereof reduced.

(b) The local authority enacting any such ordinance or resolution shall erect or cause to be erected and maintained signs designating the provisions of the ordinance or resolution at each end of that portion of any highway affected thereby, and the ordinance or resolution shall not be effective unless and until such signs are erected and maintained.

(c) Local authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction also, by ordinance or resolution, may prohibit the operation of trucks or other commercial vehicles, or may impose limitations as to the weight or size thereof, on designated highways, which prohibitions and limitations shall be designated by appropriate signs placed on such highways: Provided, That adjacent premises to such restricted streets may be served, and such restrictions shall not apply to any street which is a connecting link of the state highway system, unless a satisfactory alternate route is provided and has been approved by the secretary of transportation.

(d) The secretary of transportation likewise shall have authority as hereinabove granted to local authorities to determine by resolution and to impose restrictions as to the weight or size of vehicles operated upon any highways under the jurisdiction of said secretary and such restrictions shall be effective when signs giving notice thereof are erected upon the highway or portion of any highway affected by such resolution.

History: L. 1974, ch. 33, § 8-1912; L. 1975, ch. 427, § 51; August 15.